William Hudson's critical and provocative text urges students not just to think about how American democracy functions, but also to examine why American democracy has become what it is today. Hudson identifies eight major challenges to the strength of the political system, directly laying out the ways in which these developments erode the very foundations of American democracy: Does judicial activism eliminate the voice of the people in American policymaking? To what extent should Americans sacrifice their civil liberties in the interest of national security? Does the ''American Dream'' still exist given the degree of inequality in the United States?

Ever challenging students' apathy or antipathy of politics, Hudson provides critical, but balanced recommendations for reform, while emphasizing that the strength of the U.S. political system rests on the ability to respond successfully to these pressing issues. Important new coverage in this fifth edition includes:

The disparity between low- and high-income residents of the Gulf Coast that was thrown into vivid relief after Hurricane Katrina, revealing deeply embedded social, economic, and political inequality in the United States.

Judicial appointment politics that allow the president to promote ideological values in an undemocratic manner.

Stunted ''sound bite'' media coverage and candidate-centered campaigning that discourage Americans from deliberating and exercising their voices on national policy concerns.

The Bush administration's approaches to fighting terror and upholding democracy in the world that may, in fact, jeopardize democratic values.

The Founders' Work The Jeffersonian Model The Separation of Powers and Democratic Values The Parliamentary Alternative Meeting the Challenge: Bridging the Separation of Powers

2. The Second Challenge: The Imperial Judiciary

The Least Democratic Branch A Brief History of Judicial Review Two Cases of Judicial Usurpation Can Judicial Review Be Made Consistent with Democracy? The Judicialization of American Politics as a Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: Revitalize American Democracy

3. The Third Challenge: Radical Individualism

Individualism in the American Tradition American ''Habits of the Heart'' The Flaws of Libertarianism Our Pathological Politics of Rights and Interests The Failed Opportunity to Build Community after 9/11 Meeting the Challenge: Balance Rights with Responsibilities

4. The Fourth Challenge: Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation and Democratic Theory Citizen Political Participation Signs of Civic Disengagement The New Citizen Activism Participation as a Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: More, Not Less, Participation

American Politics as Pluralist Heaven Business: The ''Privileged'' Group Why Business Privilege Is a Threat to Democracy Objections to the Privileged-Position-of-Business Thesis Meeting the Challenge: Democratic Action to Reduce Business Privilege

7. The Seventh Challenge: Inequality

Equality and Democratic Theory The End of the American Dream? The Persistence of Racial Inequality Economic Inequality's Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: Policies to Promote Equality

8. The Eighth Challenge: The National Security State

A Brief History of the National Security State Secrecy Centralization Repression Distortion Meeting the Challenge: Reform to Achieve True Security

William Hudson's critical and provocative text urges students not just to think about how American democracy functions, but also to examine why American democracy has become what it is today. Hudson identifies eight major challenges to the strength of the political system, directly laying out the ways in which these developments erode the very foundations of American democracy: Does judicial activism eliminate the voice of the people in American policymaking? To what extent should Americans sacrifice their civil liberties in the interest of national security? Does the ''American Dream'' still exist given the degree of inequality in the United States?

Ever challenging students' apathy or antipathy of politics, Hudson provides critical, but balanced recommendations for reform, while emphasizing that the strength of the U.S. political system rests on the ability to respond successfully to these pressing issues. Important new coverage in this fifth edition includes:

The disparity between low- and high-income residents of the Gulf Coast that was thrown into vivid relief after Hurricane Katrina, revealing deeply embedded social, economic, and political inequality in the United States.

Judicial appointment politics that allow the president to promote ideological values in an undemocratic manner.

Stunted ''sound bite'' media coverage and candidate-centered campaigning that discourage Americans from deliberating and exercising their voices on national policy concerns.

The Bush administration's approaches to fighting terror and upholding democracy in the world that may, in fact, jeopardize democratic values.

The Founders' Work The Jeffersonian Model The Separation of Powers and Democratic Values The Parliamentary Alternative Meeting the Challenge: Bridging the Separation of Powers

2. The Second Challenge: The Imperial Judiciary

The Least Democratic Branch A Brief History of Judicial Review Two Cases of Judicial Usurpation Can Judicial Review Be Made Consistent with Democracy? The Judicialization of American Politics as a Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: Revitalize American Democracy

3. The Third Challenge: Radical Individualism

Individualism in the American Tradition American ''Habits of the Heart'' The Flaws of Libertarianism Our Pathological Politics of Rights and Interests The Failed Opportunity to Build Community after 9/11 Meeting the Challenge: Balance Rights with Responsibilities

4. The Fourth Challenge: Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation and Democratic Theory Citizen Political Participation Signs of Civic Disengagement The New Citizen Activism Participation as a Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: More, Not Less, Participation

American Politics as Pluralist Heaven Business: The ''Privileged'' Group Why Business Privilege Is a Threat to Democracy Objections to the Privileged-Position-of-Business Thesis Meeting the Challenge: Democratic Action to Reduce Business Privilege

7. The Seventh Challenge: Inequality

Equality and Democratic Theory The End of the American Dream? The Persistence of Racial Inequality Economic Inequality's Challenge to Democracy Meeting the Challenge: Policies to Promote Equality

8. The Eighth Challenge: The National Security State

A Brief History of the National Security State Secrecy Centralization Repression Distortion Meeting the Challenge: Reform to Achieve True Security